Making every donation count during March Food Share Month
News | Published on February 27, 2024 at 4:05pm GMT+0000 | Author: Tucker Henderson
0NYM food shelf served 1,144 individuals last year
The New York Mills Area Food Shelf served 454 families and 1,144 individuals during the past year. The food shelf will be participating in the Food Share Month festivities where donations are partially matched throughout the month.
By Tucker Henderson
Reporter
While it may not feel like that time of year again, it’s time again for the New York Mills Food Shelf’s annual Minnesota FoodShare Drive during the month of March.
Minnesota FoodShare has been committed to addressing food insecurity for 43 years and sponsors the annual March FoodShare Campaign to keep 300 food shelves across Minnesota stocked with food throughout the year. Over $18 million has been contributed to participating food shelves where 100 percent of donations are distributed to food shelves.
The NY Mills Food Shelf, now in its 32nd year, has distributed over 1 million pounds of food to local residents in need of something to eat. In the past year, 454 families and 1,144 individuals were served and a total of 49,348 pounds of food were distributed. Since June 2023, an added time in the afternoon has drawn more visitors in an attempt to serve a larger portion of the community, especially those with work hours that don’t allow for a morning visit.
Last year’s food share donations totaled just over $11,000 and just over 1,000 pounds of food. That was an increase over the two years prior. MN FoodShare reports that food stamp enrollment in the state reached its highest level since 2016 over the past year. Distributed food from state food shelves also went up 10 percent last year.
Checks for the FoodShare Drive can be made out to: New York Mills Area Food Shelf, PO Box 323, New York Mills, MN 56567. Food donation drop off can be arranged with Connie Warner at (218) 385-3669 or (218) 385-2853 during working hours.